About the PanelistsSheng Jin AngCreative DirectorMullenLoweSince joining the industry in 2003, Sheng Jin has honed his skills as an
art director in some of Singapore’s top agencies, finally arriving at MullenLowe,
as Creative Director.A good start, as Best New Art Director in the 2005 Singapore Creative
Circle Awards, eventually led to Best of Categories for Radio (2012), Outdoor (2015)
and Print (2013, 2015 & 2016) in the same show. His meticulous craft has
helped him lift a Grand Prix in Print/Poster Craft at Spikes Asia 2015. His
other awards include a Silver Nomination in the D&AD, Golds and more in the
One Show, New York Art Directors Club, Clio, EPICA, Young Guns, Communication
Arts and ADFEST.At Cannes, among Sheng Jin’s many Lions are four Gold Lions – three of
which were Singapore’s first Golds in the Promo, Design and Health &
Wellness categories.When Sheng Jin is not busy at work, he can be found in schools giving
lectures and sharing his ideals with advertising students.

Joanna CatalanoCEOiProspect APAC

Joanna,
an experienced sales and marketing professional, has 15 years managing sales
and marketing teams, building trusted advisor relationships with multinational
companies, and managing high impact change initiatives. She’s led both direct
and consultative sales teams, is a driver of data and insights-led sales and
marketing solutions, and has a capacity to balance big picture thinking with
impactful results.A
passionate team leader, Joanna has built new regional functions and revenue
streams on multiple occasions, with proven success at both talent acquisition
and development of high performing teams. Culturally savvy with experience in
Americas, Western and Eastern Europe, and Asia, where she has spent the last 10
years in both mature Japan and emerging SEA. She has 12 years in-depth digital
experience managing clients across multiple industry verticals (Tech, FMCG,
Finance, Online Retail), with deep knowledge of Travel.Joanna
commenced her career in economic development partnering with the Ukrainian
government on media and communications, and micro-lending for female start-ups,
as it transitioned to a capitalist economy. To further her commitment to
diversity and entrepreneurship, Joanna acts as president of Female Founders, a
Singapore non-profit seeking to increase VC funding of women-founded and led
businesses. A passion for education and its critical role in enabling children
to create a better future, led her to join as advisor to Imagin8ors, an
Asia-based edtech start-up. She’s served as Vice Chair of the Singapore
Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), led Women@Google Southeast Asia, and is
an active mentor and coach within the tech, media and start-up industries. In
2017, she judged the Asia Pacific Effies. When not involved in any of the above,
she is mom of two, design aficionado, avid traveler, and foodie.

Rupen
DesaiVice
Chairman, Asia Pacific, Middle East and AfricaEdelman

Rupen
leads Edelman’s integrated brand business across Asia Pacific, Middle East and
Africa, across the area of digital, consumer PR, social and paid and brand
communications. He has 20 years of experience in leading multicultural teams
that have shaped brand narratives for some of the world’s most famous,
consistent and successful brands. Prior to Edelman, Rupen was the Asia Pacific
President for Lowe Partners for six years, during which period the network
became a top performer in new business leagues, creative and effectiveness
awards. He is a strong advocate of the impact purpose & creativity has on
society & profit. Rupen is also a board member at Female Founders, a
not-for-profit dedicated to the pursuit of gender equality in entrepreneurship
& leadership.

Pratik
held leadership roles in many global ad agencies prior to joining Coke. His 18
years of industry experience covers stints in India, South East Asia and
Greater China for Grey Group, McCann Worldgroup, Saatchi & Saatchi, DDB and
Lowe.

Prior
to joining Grey, he was the Chief Strategy & Innovation Catalyst at McCann
Worldgroup, Greater China where he was highly regarded for his integrated
creative strategies and disruptive ideas in design, branded content and digital
technology led innovation on brands like Puma, L'Oréal Group, MasterCard,
Nestle, Intel and Coca-Cola.

Before
moving to China in 2007, Thakar was Deputy Managing Director and Chief Strategy
Officer at McCann Worldgroup Malaysia (South East Asia).

Thakar
is a recipient of multiple global awards such as H.K. McCann Global Award for
Strategic Leadership, Cannes Lion, One Show, D&AD, AME, EFFIE and CLIO. He
has also been on the jury panel for the prestigious red-dot Product Design
Awards, Jay Chait Awards for Strategic Excellence, (American Association of
Advertising Agencies), Global EFFIE, AME and New York Festivals.